TV reporter to challenge driving suspension after DUI arrest

January 09, 2014|By Clifford Ward | Special to the Tribune

Dave Savini in 1999. (HANDOUT / )

CBS 2 Chicago investigative reporter Dave Savini will legally challenge the suspension of his driving privileges following his weekend arrest for driving under the influence, according to court documents filed this week.

Savini’s attorney, Terry Ekl, filed a petition Wednesday in DuPage County seeking to rescind the Illinois statutory summary suspension that would automatically go into effect 45 days after the arrest.

The petition says Naperville police did not have probable cause to charge Savini with driving under the influence. The petition also says police did not follow proper procedures during Savini’s arrest and blood-alcohol test.

According to DuPage County court files, Savini’s blood-alcohol level registered .134 in the early-morning hours of Jan. 4, following his arrest by Naperville police on misdemeanor charges of DUI, battery, child endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident.

Savini, 47, was stopped about 1:30 a.m. Saturday after he allegedly got into an altercation with a man in the parking lot of a Taco Bell in the 1200 block of Rickert Drive in Naperville.

According to police, Savini and another man were involved in a minor vehicle accident, and Savini shoved the man as he tried to photograph the license plate of Savini’s SUV.

Savini then drove away along with two passengers, whom police have only identified as teenagers. According to other court records, Savini has two teenaged children.

Police said they stopped Savini, who lives in Naperville, about 3-1/2 miles from the restaurant.

According to court documents, Savini had the odor of alcohol on his breath and he had bloodshot, glassy eyes. The documents also said he failed field tests and admitted consuming alcohol.